Itinerary advice
Jul 8th, 2015, 08:46 AM
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Itinerary advice
So my boyfriend and I are heading to New York in September (3rd-9th) for his 30th. After spending months researching I think I've come up with an itinerary and was wondering if this is do-able.
A few things to know first of all: this is both our first time in New York so we want to see as many sights as possible and therefore we have bought a 5 day New York Pass already. We are happy to eat as we go and don't have specific places to eat planned as we don't know when we will be hungry/what we will be in the mood for.
Thursday 3rd
Arrive at JFK, get airtrain to hotel (Manhattan NYC, perfectly located near Penn Station).
Drop bags off and head out to explore Times Square and grab some food.
Tiredness will probably have started to set in seeing as we leave Glasgow at 6am so head back to hotel and get some rest.
Friday 4th
Walk to Bryant Park and see New York Public Library.
Head to Grand Central Station for a wander around and breakfast.
Walk to Dylans Candy Bar - this is an absolute must for me!!
Central Park East side to see the Alice in Wonderland Statue and then head to AMNH. Happy to spend a couple of hours here but don't plan on staying too long.
Go back into Central Park and walk down the West side making sure we see Strawberry Fields.
As we have the NYPass I'd love to go on the Ride but I understand that there are only a few available seats for pass holders therefore head to Madame Tussauds (is this where we get tickets?) and see if we can get tickets for later in the evening. Time depending we might spend an hour in Madame Tussauds but this isn't a priority.
Head back to the hotel for a rest/freshen up.
Head out for dinner and hopefully to experience the Ride (ticket availability dependant)
Empire State Building at night.
Saturday 5th
Chelsea Market for breakfast
Walk the High Line
Head to City Sightseeing to see if we can get tickets for the Beast (either then or at a later time) also see if we can get tickets for the Twilight Cruise for that night.
Intrepid
Cake Boss Café
Hotel
Twilight Cruise (hopefully) - if not possibly a broadway show
Sunday 6th
Subway to Battery Park
Charging Bull
Wall Street
9/11 Memorial - again see if/when we can get tickets
Ghostbusters Headquarters (for the other half!!)
Wander around SOHO and Greenwich Village
Hotel
South Street Seaport for dinner
Chinatown/Little Italy
Flatiron building
Monday 7th
Subway down to walk over Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Train to Coney Island
Hotel
Dinner and drinks
Tuesday 8th
Top of the Rock in the morning
Rockefeller Centre
5th Avenue
Hotel
We have tickets for the US open tennis at 7pm.
Wednesday 9th
Up early to head to Penn Station to get our train to Boston.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Open to any suggestions and willing to make changes if necessary.
Also would it be worth getting the 7 day unlimited metro card or just pay per journey?
Thanks.
Reply
A few things to know first of all: this is both our first time in New York so we want to see as many sights as possible and therefore we have bought a 5 day New York Pass already. We are happy to eat as we go and don't have specific places to eat planned as we don't know when we will be hungry/what we will be in the mood for.
Thursday 3rd
Arrive at JFK, get airtrain to hotel (Manhattan NYC, perfectly located near Penn Station).
Drop bags off and head out to explore Times Square and grab some food.
Tiredness will probably have started to set in seeing as we leave Glasgow at 6am so head back to hotel and get some rest.
Friday 4th
Walk to Bryant Park and see New York Public Library.
Head to Grand Central Station for a wander around and breakfast.
Walk to Dylans Candy Bar - this is an absolute must for me!!
Central Park East side to see the Alice in Wonderland Statue and then head to AMNH. Happy to spend a couple of hours here but don't plan on staying too long.
Go back into Central Park and walk down the West side making sure we see Strawberry Fields.
As we have the NYPass I'd love to go on the Ride but I understand that there are only a few available seats for pass holders therefore head to Madame Tussauds (is this where we get tickets?) and see if we can get tickets for later in the evening. Time depending we might spend an hour in Madame Tussauds but this isn't a priority.
Head back to the hotel for a rest/freshen up.
Head out for dinner and hopefully to experience the Ride (ticket availability dependant)
Empire State Building at night.
Saturday 5th
Chelsea Market for breakfast
Walk the High Line
Head to City Sightseeing to see if we can get tickets for the Beast (either then or at a later time) also see if we can get tickets for the Twilight Cruise for that night.
Intrepid
Cake Boss Café
Hotel
Twilight Cruise (hopefully) - if not possibly a broadway show
Sunday 6th
Subway to Battery Park
Charging Bull
Wall Street
9/11 Memorial - again see if/when we can get tickets
Ghostbusters Headquarters (for the other half!!)
Wander around SOHO and Greenwich Village
Hotel
South Street Seaport for dinner
Chinatown/Little Italy
Flatiron building
Monday 7th
Subway down to walk over Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Train to Coney Island
Hotel
Dinner and drinks
Tuesday 8th
Top of the Rock in the morning
Rockefeller Centre
5th Avenue
Hotel
We have tickets for the US open tennis at 7pm.
Wednesday 9th
Up early to head to Penn Station to get our train to Boston.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Open to any suggestions and willing to make changes if necessary.
Also would it be worth getting the 7 day unlimited metro card or just pay per journey?
Thanks.
Reply
Jul 8th, 2015, 09:02 AM
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Okay - a couple of notes:
the AirTrain does not go to Manhattan. You just take it to Jamaica and there switch to the Long Island RR - which will take you to Penn Station.
The AMNH is on the West side of the park - not the east. Go to the web site of the Central Park Conservancy for a map of walking paths and a complete list of attractions, including Ranger Walks
You are doig Wall St and are on Sunday when it will be deserted
There are a couple of things I don;t understand:
What is the Ride???
What is Ghostbusters Headquarters?
I would not do both the ESB and the ToTR - IMHO the latter is better and you can easily get timed tickets for around sunset - to see the city in both light and dark (much better than waiting forever on line at ESB)
For tickets to a bway show you should get them now for best seats and prices. Go to broadwaybox.com and see which are offering discounts, pick which you want and get tickets to be held at will call. Or - if you are looking for tickets to a hit show get them now or you may be shut out.
I would get good quality maps of both the city and the subway so you can plot out your days and transit efficiently.
I would not miss the Met - the greatest cultural institution in the western hemisphere. It;s huge - so head to the web site to pick out 2 or 3 departments to see - many people like the Impressionists, the Egyptian department/Temple of Dendur and the Costume Institute
the AirTrain does not go to Manhattan. You just take it to Jamaica and there switch to the Long Island RR - which will take you to Penn Station.
The AMNH is on the West side of the park - not the east. Go to the web site of the Central Park Conservancy for a map of walking paths and a complete list of attractions, including Ranger Walks
You are doig Wall St and are on Sunday when it will be deserted
There are a couple of things I don;t understand:
What is the Ride???
What is Ghostbusters Headquarters?
I would not do both the ESB and the ToTR - IMHO the latter is better and you can easily get timed tickets for around sunset - to see the city in both light and dark (much better than waiting forever on line at ESB)
For tickets to a bway show you should get them now for best seats and prices. Go to broadwaybox.com and see which are offering discounts, pick which you want and get tickets to be held at will call. Or - if you are looking for tickets to a hit show get them now or you may be shut out.
I would get good quality maps of both the city and the subway so you can plot out your days and transit efficiently.
I would not miss the Met - the greatest cultural institution in the western hemisphere. It;s huge - so head to the web site to pick out 2 or 3 departments to see - many people like the Impressionists, the Egyptian department/Temple of Dendur and the Costume Institute
Jul 8th, 2015, 10:19 AM
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To nytraveler - Ghostbusters HQ is the building where NYFD Hook and Ladder company 8 is located. It is at 14 North Moore ST between Broadway & Hudson St. The exterior was used for Ghostbusters movies. The Franklin St station on the 1 subway line is the closest (about 1 block away).
The Ride is a theatrical bus tour http://experiencetheride.com/ basically a show on wheels.
To akeenan - If you go for the 7 day unlimited MetroCard keep in mind that you need 1 card for each of you ($31 each plus $1 fee for a new MetroCard). Unlimited cards cannot be shared. If you go for the regular (Pay-per-ride) MetroCard then 1 card will cover the 2 of you (make sure you put enough on the card @ $2.75 per fare). You can always refill the regular MetroCard as needed. You can get a subway map for free at any booth in the subway plus there are apps you can get from the MTA website http://web.mta.info/apps/
Enjoy your stay in NYC.
The Ride is a theatrical bus tour http://experiencetheride.com/ basically a show on wheels.
To akeenan - If you go for the 7 day unlimited MetroCard keep in mind that you need 1 card for each of you ($31 each plus $1 fee for a new MetroCard). Unlimited cards cannot be shared. If you go for the regular (Pay-per-ride) MetroCard then 1 card will cover the 2 of you (make sure you put enough on the card @ $2.75 per fare). You can always refill the regular MetroCard as needed. You can get a subway map for free at any booth in the subway plus there are apps you can get from the MTA website http://web.mta.info/apps/
Enjoy your stay in NYC.
Jul 8th, 2015, 11:05 PM
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Nytraveler - thank you for the advice. We would like to do both TOTR and ESB seeing as we have the pass and also to see what it's like early in the morning compared to late at night.
Nycguy - great advice on the metro card, thanks! I'm not sure if we would get our money worth if we got the unlimited card but will do more planning for this.
IMDonehere - we don't plan to eat at cake boss or now known as Carlos bakery, just a quick stop when passing
Nycguy - great advice on the metro card, thanks! I'm not sure if we would get our money worth if we got the unlimited card but will do more planning for this.
IMDonehere - we don't plan to eat at cake boss or now known as Carlos bakery, just a quick stop when passing
Jul 9th, 2015, 04:10 AM
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Why in the world would you want to go to a fire house because of a movie? I don;t even get the people who want to go the the restaurant in Seinfeld or on a Sex in the City tour - never mind a random fire house.
If determined to see something related to Ghostbusters why not go look at 55 Central Park West (the sppoky buidling) or the NY Public Library? There are a bunch of real places featured in the movie (just as with many movies set in NY).
If determined to see something related to Ghostbusters why not go look at 55 Central Park West (the sppoky buidling) or the NY Public Library? There are a bunch of real places featured in the movie (just as with many movies set in NY).
Jul 9th, 2015, 04:33 AM
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It's the last thing I would ever want to do but my other half is adamant that we go. It's more really for a photo op than anything else...something about his childhood memories, beats me!!
Jul 9th, 2015, 05:58 AM
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Well, there are certainly worse things to do.
Have you bought your Amtrak tickets yet? They are much cheaper far in advance - and don;t bother with Acela - although the train can theoretically go faster the tracks allow for it in only a few places.
Have you bought your Amtrak tickets yet? They are much cheaper far in advance - and don;t bother with Acela - although the train can theoretically go faster the tracks allow for it in only a few places.
Jul 9th, 2015, 08:00 AM
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Well the problem with Penn Station is that the Amtrak train track number is announced only about 10 minutes before the train departs. Then everyone rushes to the stairs or escalators or get downstairs as soon as possible to have the best choice of seats since the train will come in fairly full from DC and you probably want to sit together.
This is not a big problem if you have a small carry-on you can put on your shoulder. If you have any luggage you can;t pick up and trot with I strongly suggest you get a Red Cap to help you. They know in advance where the trains will be and can take your luggage (and you) down there before anyone else since they have a key to the escalator. That way you are on the platform when the train arrives and can be the first ones on - so it's much easier to fin a place for luggage (large bags go at the end of the car) and have the best choice of remaining seats.
There is no charge but you need to tip them - $5 per person is OK unless you have a steamer trunk with you. Just go to the Amtrak seating section (the only seats on the concourse level) and tell one what train you want his services for.
Also be aware than Penn Station is huge and has 3 different rail lines in it. Besides Amtrak there are 2 commuter lines: NJ Transit (a different concourse) and LIRR (same concourse as amtrak). It serves about 600,000 people a day.
This is not a big problem if you have a small carry-on you can put on your shoulder. If you have any luggage you can;t pick up and trot with I strongly suggest you get a Red Cap to help you. They know in advance where the trains will be and can take your luggage (and you) down there before anyone else since they have a key to the escalator. That way you are on the platform when the train arrives and can be the first ones on - so it's much easier to fin a place for luggage (large bags go at the end of the car) and have the best choice of remaining seats.
There is no charge but you need to tip them - $5 per person is OK unless you have a steamer trunk with you. Just go to the Amtrak seating section (the only seats on the concourse level) and tell one what train you want his services for.
Also be aware than Penn Station is huge and has 3 different rail lines in it. Besides Amtrak there are 2 commuter lines: NJ Transit (a different concourse) and LIRR (same concourse as amtrak). It serves about 600,000 people a day.
Jul 9th, 2015, 11:42 AM
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"Besides Amtrak there are 2 commuter lines: NJ Transit (a different concourse) and LIRR (same concourse as amtrak)"
Minor correction - Amtrak and NJ Transit are on the same concourse. The LIRR is on the lower concourse.
The layout of NY Penn is:
1 level down from the street - Amtak/NJ Transit concourse
2 levels down from street - LIRR concourse and access to Subway (1,2,3,A, C and E lines)
3 levels down from street - all platforms & tracks
Minor correction - Amtrak and NJ Transit are on the same concourse. The LIRR is on the lower concourse.
The layout of NY Penn is:
1 level down from the street - Amtak/NJ Transit concourse
2 levels down from street - LIRR concourse and access to Subway (1,2,3,A, C and E lines)
3 levels down from street - all platforms & tracks
